s opening game of their 2007/08 season- read on for match report." imgthumbpath="/NiallOConnor_Thumbnail_100x100.jpg" -->

Match Report

21 September 2007, 8:54 pm ::

Magners League: Ulster 17 v Ospreys 16

Ulster edged a victory against defending Magners League Champions in Ulster's opening game of their 2007/08 season- read on for match report.

Ulster took an early lead after they were awarded a penalty kick for a lineout infringement. The kick was taken by fly-half Niall O'Connor to put Ulster 3-0 ahead in the opening minutes.

Ulster Captain Roger Wilson was brought down by the Osprey defense inches from the touchline in the 16th minute following a fantastic run. Seconds later an offside ruling gave Ulster the chance to extend their lead with O'Connor kicking- Ulster 6 v Ospreys 0.

The Ospreys missed an opportunity to close the gap 20 minutes into the first half with their number 10 Shaun Connor missing a penalty kick. 10 minutes later he was on target, scoring a penalty to bring the score to Ulster 6 v Ospreys 3.

With four minutes left on the clock of the first half Ulster's O'Connor scored his third penalty kick of the night to bring the half-time score to Ulster 9 v Ospreys 3.

Both teams ran out following half time with everything to play for. O'Connor missed an early penalty kick from the 57 meter mark. Ulster's Simon Danielli scored the first try of the night -bringing the score to Ulster 14 v Ospreys 3 with O'Connor kicking the conversion wide.

Ospreys surged back and a try from Andrew Bishop was converted in the 58th minute by Shaun Connor- Ulster 14 v Ospreys 10. Ospreys took the lead following another two penalty kicks from the boot of Connor to put the Welsh side 2 points ahead in the closing minutes.

Man of the Match Niall O'Connor put Ulster back in front scoring his fourth penalty kick of the night in the 79th minute. A final opportunity for Ospreys to clinch a victory was wasted as their number 10 kicked a penalty wide in closing seconds of injury time. Final score Ulster 17 v Ospreys 16.